I signed up for a knitting class with Trade School Vancouver the other day. Trade Schools allow students to barter for instruction. When instructors sign up to teach classes, they list a number of things they would like in return, and students pick what they will bring when they register in the course. One of the options for the knitting class was “something homemade” so I whipped up this tote bag with fabric leftover from other projects.
So I haven’t updated on my March sewing plans… and that’s because I got a bit sidetracked. I was picked to pattern test Tasia’s latest pattern, the lovely Cambie dress. I had to sew it in two weeks (and right before I went to Austin for work), so things got a bit tight!
I made the dress in black rayon challis in a size 14. I still have this thing where I’m paranoid that nothing will fit me, so I make the size larger in order to have tons of ease… which then really bugs me when I’m wearing it. (Gertie posted about this recently and I totally agree with her.) I was in between size 12 and 14, but closer to 14, so the next version of the Cambie will definitely be a 12. A fitted bodice is supposed to be, well, fitted!
I do love this dress, though. Supremely comfortable, and the bodice is so incredibly cute. Sweetheart neckline! Sneaky sleeves! I can’t wait to make the A-line version of this; I’ll basically live in it at work this summer. But that will wait until I make another tiny pocket tank, and the meringue skirt, and take in my Vogue dress…
Spring 2012 handmade wardrobe challenge
My lovely friend Madelaine and I are doing a bit of a Spring wardrobe challenge for ourselves. We’re going to make four garments over the month of March: two tops, one skirt, and a free choice.
For my tops, I’m probably going to use the same pattern for both: Grainline’s Tiny Pocket Tank. 
(image from Grainline blog)
I’ve been meaning to make the Meringue skirt from the Colette Sewing Handbook for a while, so this seems like the perfect time.
(image from the Colette Patterns website)
I’ve got a great striped lightweight denim I picked up in Toronto for it that I think would be lovely. Should be stiff enough for those scallops.
As for the free choice, that’s still up in the air at this point… It’ll be a surprise for all of us at the end of the month.
Finally got around to doing some sewing last night. I’ve had the fabric for this Pendrell blouse for months, but I finally cut it out this weekend and started putting it together last night. I’m doing View B, but without the seam ruffle — that’s just too many ruffles for me. I am keeping the sleeve ruffle.
This fabric is a super frayable crepe, and unfortunately I don’t have a surger, so I’ve decided to finish the seams with bias tape. I decided this last night after my attempt to zigzag over the edge didn’t work out so well, hence the premade navy bias tape. I’ll probably try to make some out of the fashion fabric tonight. We shall see. It’s pretty lightweight, so I don’t think the added bulk at the seams will be too bad.
I also bought the pattern for Grainline’s Tiny Pocket Tank, and am excited to make a bunch of those for summer.
The 1912 Project
How did I not know about this? The great folks at the Vintage Pattern Lending Library are leading a project in which members will sew and blog about vintage patterns from the 1912 issues of La Mode Illustree. Fits in perfectly with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, and everybody’s favourite show Downton Abbey.
More information about the project is here, and the 1912 Project Blog is here! I can’t wait to see how everybody’s garments turn out.
Style
I work at a college, and one of the benefits of this is free continuing ed classes. Tonight I’m taking a course on style. I’m pretty excited. After the Colette Sewing Handbook came out, lots of bloggers I follow started thinking about their own personal styles in a really concrete way. What items of clothing do I gravitate to in my wardrobe? What do these items have in common? I’ve been starting to do this too, and followed Sarai’s advice to start out with one’s favourite 5 items and going from there. However, I think it’ll be good for me to get other people’s opinions on my style. One of my big problems is that I tend to either thing my body is much bigger or smaller than it actually is, so I don’t know if the items I love in my closet actually are the most flattering on me. We’ll see what the instructor says today! Apparently there is a workbook. I’ve been told to bring a binder. I feel like a kid again.
In sewing news, I’m going to make a half slip this week based on Gertie’s excellent instructions. I lost my beloved black half slip and there are some dresses that I just can’t wear in the winter without a slip. Looking forward to popping this one out quickly on my day off on Friday.
